We are aware there is a growing awareness nationally that the present state and federal penal systems are not meeting the desired goals of reducing recividism and preparing criminal offenders to become responsible members of our society. Our prisons are over crowded and the cost in taxpayers dollars required to maintain our present system is becoming economicaly prohibitive.

We recognize that prisons are necessary for some but not all criminal violators.
Based on factual data applicable to the State of Maine, discussions would include cost of capital investment in a prison; present population of state prisons and county jails; annual cost of incarceration for each inmate; number of inmates in state prisons for non-violent crimes and for violent crimes; average length of incarceration; effect of incarceration on families, particularly on minor children with a parent in prison, on probation or on parole; effect of mandatory minimum sentences and should they be repealed; effectiveness of court initiated programs providing alternatives to incarceration and community initiated post-release and other programs designed to assist transition from prison and whether these and similar programs should be introduced in our system and funded with our tax dollars rather than using those dollars for incarceration.

Ideas are needed and welcomed on how to make a case to the next Legislature that would ensure its receptiveness to changes in our present system.

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